Armored aerial machine.



P. DAIMLER.

ARMORBD AERIAL MAoHlNE. APPLICATION FILED AUG.`16. 1913.

1,095,71 1 A Patented May 5, 1914.

p the cylinders a.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

PAUL DAIMLER, OF`CANNSTATT, GERMANY.

ARMORED AERIAL MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led August 16, 1913. Serial No. 785,084.

Patented May 5, 1914.

The object of the present invention is to` enable aim to be taken in thedirection of the propeller shaft without hindrance from the propeller.

According to the present invention the propeller shaft is constructed,in a manner itherto knovtgn, as a countershaft driven from the motorcrank shaft and is .made hollow to receive a gun of any suitable type sothat the gun may be discharged through the propeller shaft withouthindrance from the propeller. The propeller shaft is preferably ofsuliiciently large internal diameter to enable the barrel of the gun tobe adjusted therein at an angle to the vaxis of the shaft lin order toenable the gun to be directed at a suitable angle. y

In order that the invention may be'more clearly understood, .referenceis made to the accompanying drawing which illustrates byV f way ofexample one embodiment of' my invention, the figure being a fragmentaryside view of an aerial machine, parts being shown in section. v

, The engine cylinders a are arranged in a manner hitherto knownin aninverted position on the framework of the aerial machine so that themotor shaft b lies above The propeller shaft c is arranged above the`motor shaft b and driven therefrom through gearing d and f. Thepropeller shaft c is madey hollow to re.-

ceive the barrel g of any suitable type of' l gun, the breech 71. of thegun being arranged behind the rear bearing e of the propeller shaft. Thegunman-,y be of any suitable type y such as, for example, a machine gun,the essential feature being that the gun is so arranged that theprojectile is discharged through the hollow ropeller shaft c. It willdof Acourse be un erstood that the propeller and its hollow shaft c maybe arranged either at the front or rear of the aerial machine.

On the drawing, the hollow propeller Ashaft c is shown of' greaterinternal diameter than thev external'diameter of the gun barrel g,thereby .permitting the gun barrel to be tilted within the propeller`shaft for sighting purposes.

I claim 1. In a propeller-driven armored aerial machine, means forenabling gun liring in the direction of Hight comprising, incombination, a hollow propeller shaft carrying the propeller and a gunin line with said shaft and adapted to discharge therethrough.

2. In a propeller-driven armored, aerial machine, means for enabling gunfiring in the direction of flight comprising, in combithe propeller anda gun having its barrel located normally in line with but capable ofadjustment at an angle to the axis of the shaft 4. In a propeller-drivenarmored aerial machine, in combination, a motor having its cylindersinverted, a crank-shaft above and driven by said motor, a hollowpropeller shaft mounted above and driven from said crank-shaft and a gunin line with said propeller shaft and adapted to discharge therethrough.

5. In a propeller-driven 'armored aerial machine, in combination, 'amotor having its cylinders inverted, a crank-shaft above and driven bysaid motor, a hollow propeller shaft mounted above and driven fromsaidcrank-shaft and a gun having its barrel lo-` shaft carrying thepropeller and mounted above and driven from 'said crank-shaft and a. gunhaving its barrel normally 1n line With but adjustable at an angle tothe axis mit the llatter to be tilted Within said pro'- 10 of saidpropeller shaft. peller shaft.

7. In a propeller-driven aerial machine,V In testimony Whereofl haveaiixedmy a motor, a crank-shaft driven by said motor, signature inpresence of two Witnesses.

a hollow propeller shaft driven from said i crank-shaft and a gun havingits barrel lo- DAIMLER cated in said propeller shaft, the latter'be-Witnesses: ing of greater internal diameter than the ROBERT UHLAND,

external diameter of the gun barrel to per- ERNEST ENTENMANN.

